FPA Blog

The Grateful Season

by Lucy Hardcastle

Starting off the Holiday season is our very own Tree Lighting Sunday, December 1st at the Downtown Oaks Park. Folks start to gather at 4 pm to enjoy homemade cookies, free hot chocolate, cider, and hot dog’s courtesy of our local Chamber of Commerce who underwrites the event. Expect Santa to arrive on the firetruck for all the kids to enjoy. Once again the Wood and Trappe family and friends are going all out to decorate it. Come see for yourself if you get this message in time! Oh yes, if you want to bring cookies, please do so!

The Chamber also hosts a delicious Crab Feed coming up Saturday, January 18 at the Holy Ghost Hall, 7960 Mill Station Road in Sebastopol. It’s $55 per person and well worth it. Live music and raffle too. Lots of fun! Call 481-3565, 887-7595 for tickets.

The Free Friday movie at the Methodist Church this month is Prancer. Show up early since Santa is arriving at 6:15, cartoons start at 6:45, then the movie at 7pm. As usual popcorn and other goodies are available for sale.

The award-winning drama program at Forestville School is putting on the sweet, funny and touching play called Curiosity Cats. It’s about some clever and charming stray cats, a couple of kids and how together they find loving homes. Catch the show on December 7, 13 and 14 at 6:30 pm, then matinees on the 8 and 15 at 1:30 pm in the auditorium. Our talented middle schoolers perform under the direction of teacher Nichole Huberty, renowned for her vision, patience and humor. It’s always a treat to see what she doing. The students decided to make it a fundraiser for Forgotten Felines and the Humane Society of Sonoma County as a project to bring awareness to the plight of homeless animals. Tickets are only $7 for adults and $5 for students.

Winter Break is from December 20 through January 3.

I’m trusting when you read this we’ll have gotten some rain. The recent evacuation of Forestville, along with 185,000 others in Sonoma County certainly took its toll. We all have stories of how long it took to get out, yet it was orderly and calm and so important to free up our first responders to actually fight the fire, unlike what took place when the Tubbs fire roared through Santa Rosa. And let’s face it, it was exhausting, emotionally and physically, not to mention cold once we returned home to wait for days for our gas to be turned on. But we had homes to come back to, and for that I’m grateful.

I don’t know about you, but I found it very interesting what I chose to pack up and what I said goodbye to as we loaded up our car to comply with the firefighters request to leave. Important papers, computers, tax and business files came, but some other rather silly things made it into our car as well A stuffed animal, Mr. Chicken, got chosen being a favorite of my granddaughters. Photos, of course, and sparkly costume jewelry made the list. What did you choose? Would you have regretted your choices had the fire jumped 101 and the winds tore through the river area as it was predicted? This was a real time fire drill, one which will prepare us even better once fire threatens us again. Hopefully your neighborhood, like mine, is connecting with their neighbors to build community. We are finding out who would need help getting out, who has a ham radio, who owns a chain saw or tall ladder, things that might be helpful to know during and after a disaster. Through this process I’ve met some lovely people who live on my hill, and I feel better off knowing them.

Once again Forest Unlimited has 1,400 redwood tree seedlings they will be planting on January 4 and 5. They would love to have your help. Grab your kids or grandkids and head on out to be part of a solution to global warming. To volunteer for this outdoor adventure email harlierankin@gmail.com.

And finally, may you have a peaceful and loving Holiday whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah or any other winter solstice event. It’s the time of year to come together and appreciate what we have living in this special place.